WD45 question

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   I certainly understand the 3 bolt vs. 4 bolt front end problem concerning the WD45. I was just wondering if anyone else has ever successfully fixed a 3 bolt front end. It seems like a lot of work to swap out parts when one could merely fix what they have. I would really hate to see someone pass on an otherwise perfectly good machine especially if it means that by buying it the previous owner never has to consider scrapping it because it can't be sold. I know it is possible because ours is a trouble free 3 bolt wide front. Sure, my grandfather did have a problem with it ONCE. The local Oliver dealer at the time was also an old school machinist. If it could be made and made better than factory in the process, then that is what he did instead of trying to just bolt on new OE parts which would probably just fail again later. I'm not saying it was easy but he did manage to drill out the 3 holes larger, re-thread them, and then re-install the 3 bolt using larger and harder hardware. This was done back in the 1960s when the WD45 was still the "big" tractor on the farm. She ran year round doing everything except loader work including snow plow duty which she still does to this day. She is still set up now as she was then and I have posted pictures before on here so I won't do that now. Just to refresh your memory though, she carries 4 front stack weights on her nose as well as one front wheel weight each side and also the plow frame year round. Of course, like most, she also packs more punch than a factory WD45 in order to do heavier work which she did until 1970-1971 when the 190XT took over. All put together, she tips the scales at 6200+ lbs. We all know what extra weight and power can do to a machine, especially to a weak point. The repair has never failed again after all these years much like the tractor itself. Just my 0.02.

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LionelinKY Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Radcliff,KY Points: 695	Post Options Post Reply Quote LionelinKY Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: WD45 question Posted: 16 Jan 2011 at 9:13am
	I certainly understand the 3 bolt vs. 4 bolt front end problem concerning the WD45. I was just wondering if anyone else has ever successfully fixed a 3 bolt front end. It seems like a lot of work to swap out parts when one could merely fix what they have. I would really hate to see someone pass on an otherwise perfectly good machine especially if it means that by buying it the previous owner never has to consider scrapping it because it can't be sold. I know it is possible because ours is a trouble free 3 bolt wide front. Sure, my grandfather did have a problem with it ONCE. The local Oliver dealer at the time was also an old school machinist. If it could be made and made better than factory in the process, then that is what he did instead of trying to just bolt on new OE parts which would probably just fail again later. I'm not saying it was easy but he did manage to drill out the 3 holes larger, re-thread them, and then re-install the 3 bolt using larger and harder hardware. This was done back in the 1960s when the WD45 was still the "big" tractor on the farm. She ran year round doing everything except loader work including snow plow duty which she still does to this day. She is still set up now as she was then and I have posted pictures before on here so I won't do that now. Just to refresh your memory though, she carries 4 front stack weights on her nose as well as one front wheel weight each side and also the plow frame year round. Of course, like most, she also packs more punch than a factory WD45 in order to do heavier work which she did until 1970-1971 when the 190XT took over. All put together, she tips the scales at 6200+ lbs. We all know what extra weight and power can do to a machine, especially to a weak point. The repair has never failed again after all these years much like the tractor itself. Just my 0.02.

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Rick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Jonesburg,Mo. Points: 3660	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rick Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 2011 at 9:23am
	Lionel...I also have a WD45 with the 3 bolt wide front end that had a problem when I first got it. The three bolt holes that hold the piece for the front axle pin were stripped out (two sripped out and only one holding things together),so I just re-tapped the holes larger and installed 5/8" bolts,rather than the original 1/2" bolts that it came out with new. It's like brand new and I have never had one ounce of trouble with it since and that was 10 years ago. Rick

jiminnd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Location: Rutland ND Points: 2250	Post Options Post Reply Quote jiminnd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 2011 at 9:52am
	49 WD my dad bought new so 3 bolt front, carried a loader for 25 plus years and never had any trouble, maybe just careful and lucky and I still have it yet.

Lonn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Location: Назарово,Russia Points: 29792	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lonn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 2011 at 10:24am
	When I got the wide front for my WD it had two bolt holes that were chunked out and one was totally gone. Apparently someone cobble welded studs in and they broke out. One hole still had good threads and bolt. I filled them in with weld and shaped with a grinder to recreate the bolt hole bosses and then drilled and tapped. I just stayed with the original 1/2" but used locktite and I check them now and then. I don't have a loader on it or heavy weights. You have to use the right welding rod or you will be sharpening your bit a whole lot just to make one hole and you will have to buy about 3 taps and cut the end off the tap every once in a while to give a new cutting edge. Want to know how I know that. Obviously I'm not a machinist and I made the mistake of not seeking advise. I did this about 15 years ago and it is still holding up.
	-- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... - Wink I am a Russian Bot

dannyraddatz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Plainfield, Ill Points: 848	Post Options Post Reply Quote dannyraddatz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jan 2011 at 6:23pm
	I need to fix one bad bolt hole on my WD45 3 bolt wide front end. I sure do like the insite the forum bring to me before a project. One of my friends is going to install a heli-coil for me this spring to finish that project.
	Danny Raddatz